Index.php

RefugeeHomeNL is a consortium formed by four organizations, established at the initiative of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The Dutch Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Vluchtelingenwerk (Dutch Council for Refugees), and the Takecarebnb Foundation collaborate within RefugeeHomeNL with the aim of coordinating and facilitating a safe, sustainable, and humane form of private accommodation for Ukrainian displaced individuals. We bring together the needs of Ukrainian refugees with the spontaneous assistance offered by Dutch host families, providing support to both guests and host families to ensure a pleasant and secure stay. The project started in March 2022. On December 31st 2023 RefugeeHomeNL has ended.

We often hear from host families that they find it challenging to end the period of cohabitation. There is (still) little perspective for the Ukrainian displaced individuals, and much remains uncertain. Sometimes, cohabitation continues despite little enthusiasm for it, mainly due to this uncertainty. Private shelter is always a temporary solution. Additionally, your guest retains the right to shelter. Hence, nobody will be left on the streets. Providing accommodation against your will is not a good idea. Therefore, we strongly advise against it. We urge you to get in touch with your municipality to discuss possible solutions.

Your guest has the following options when their stay comes to an end. These are:

1. Shelter in a Municipal Shelter
2. Finding independent housing (private accommodation outside of RefugeeHomeNL, renting, or buying)
3. Return to Ukraine or another country of origin

Municipal Shelter

As long as your guest falls under the Temporary Directive, they retain the right to shelter. For this purpose, your guest can always contact the Municipal Shelter. Initially, your guest should get in touch with the municipality where they currently live or wish to live. The municipality will assess if there is available space in that municipality. If there is no space, they will look for availability within the Safety Region. If there is still no space within the region, placement outside of the current or preferred region will be considered.

Independent Housing

Increasingly, guests are managing to find independent housing. This could be through friends or family, through another initiative for private accommodation, or by renting or buying a room or apartment. Please note: when independently renting or buying housing, your guest will lose the right to living expenses.

Return

The guest can also decide to return to Ukraine. The Return and Departure Service provides support in this process. Our advice is to first gather information through RefugeeHelp. For guests with non-Ukrainian nationality (so-called third-country nationals) who wish to return to their original country of origin, they can seek assistance from the expertise of IOM (UN Migration).

Similar to sports, the offerings and specific arrangements vary from municipality to municipality. Generally, there are generous arrangements in place to ensure that those with limited financial means can participate as much as possible. Inquire about this at your municipality or the respective clubs or organizations.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many sports clubs and organizations have initiated efforts to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Often, they can become members of sports clubs like football, tennis, or athletics at no cost or with reduced fees. Additionally, almost all Dutch municipalities have arrangements and sports passes for individuals with low incomes, allowing them to access facilities like swimming pools or ice rinks for free or at reduced rates.

Exploitation is a criminal offense. If you have suspicions of exploitation, it’s advisable to report it to the police in all cases. To do so, call 0900 – 8844. If you have doubts or prefer to discuss it first, please contact your municipality for help.

As mentioned, Ukrainian displaced individuals are at risk of exploitation by employers. It would be helpful if you are vigilant for potential signs of exploitation:

  • There is no employment agreement or contract.
  • The employer only wants to pay in cash.
  • Salary is not paid, partially paid, or paid late.
  • Dangerous work or an unsafe workplace.
  • Working long hours.
  • The employer retains passports and documents.
  • Evasive answers to questions about the nature of the work.

If your guest requires extra assistance and care due to a disability, they can turn to the Municipal Social Support (“WMO”) office of the municipality. Of course, it would be helpful if you assist your guest in this process. After reporting and making a request, usually, a conversation and assessment will follow. This will result in advice specifying your guest’s care needs. After agreeing to this advice, further steps can be planned.

In that case as well, you should first visit the GP. The GP can provide referrals to other healthcare professionals. For example, there’s Empatia, a mental health program specifically aimed at refugees from Ukraine. Additionally, many GPs work with practice nurses who specialize in providing help for psychological or mental issues. On RefugeeHelp, you can find a lot of information about this topic in various languages.

  1. Learn about each other’s culture: Take the time to learn about the other person’s culture, including their history, traditions, and customs. This can help reduce misunderstandings.
  2. Be curious: Ask questions and be open to learning about the other person’s perspectives and experiences. This can help foster mutual understanding and respect.
  3. Show respect: Respect the differences between cultures and avoid biases and stereotypes. Show respect for the values and beliefs of the other person, even if they differ from your own.
  4. Be patient: Misunderstandings can arise due to language barriers or cultural differences. Be patient and strive to improve communication.
  5. Try new things: Be open to new experiences and try things that are important in the other person’s culture. This can help increase mutual understanding and create a sense of connection.
  6. Try each other’s cuisine: Cook a typical Dutch or Ukrainian dish for each other.
  7. Attend cultural events: Visit festivals, parties, exhibitions, or performances that reflect the other person’s culture. This can help develop a better appreciation for the other person’s traditions and customs.
  8. Learn a new language: Learn some basic words or phrases in the other person’s language. This can help improve communication and may also be appreciated as a sign of respect for their culture.
  9. Visit local attractions: Explore landmarks or tourist spots in the Netherlands and learn more about the country’s history and culture. This can help gain a better understanding of the other person’s background and context.
  10. Participate in local activities: Try to engage in activities that are significant in the other person’s culture, such as sports, games, dancing, or music. This can help create a sense of connection and promote mutual understanding.
  1. Learn the basics of the Dutch language. Knowing some basic words and phrases in Dutch can help with daily interactions and also leave a positive impression on Dutch people. Taking a language course can aid in learning the language.
  2. Explore Dutch culture. The Netherlands has a rich history and culture worth discovering. Visit museums, historical buildings, and cities, and experience Dutch traditions such as Sinterklaas and King’s Day.
  3. Make friends with Dutch people. Building friendships with Dutch individuals is a great way to understand the culture and practice the language. Join clubs or associations that align with your interests or hobbies to meet new people.
  4. Try Dutch cuisine. Dutch cuisine has a lot to offer, from “stamppot” and pea soup to “stroopwafels” and “bitterballen”. Trying some of these dishes will help you discover Dutch flavors.
  5. Maintain an open mind and respect Dutch culture. The Netherlands has its own way of life and work that may be different from what you’re used to. It’s important to keep an open mind and respect Dutch culture and traditions.

Hopefully, these tips will assist in exploring Dutch language and culture and help you feel at home in the Netherlands.

Here are five tips for Dutch individuals who want to communicate with Ukrainian guests:

  • Learn some basic words in Ukrainian, such as “hello” (vitayu), “thank you” (dyakuyu), “yes” (tak), and “no” (ni). Speaking a few words in your guests’ language will be appreciated and can contribute to positive interactions.
  • Utilize online translation tools like Google Translate or Microsoft Translator to quickly and easily translate texts. However, keep in mind that these tools can sometimes have inaccuracies, so also try to learn simple words and phrases to enable basic communication.
  • Attempt to understand the cultural background of your guests. In Ukrainian culture, for example, there is a strong emphasis on family, so asking questions about their family and background can be a good way to start a conversation and build rapport.
  • Pay attention to your guests’ body language and tone during communication. In Ukrainian culture, it’s common to speak loudly and use many gestures during conversations, which might be unfamiliar to Dutch people.
  • Be respectful and interested in your guests’ culture and traditions. Sharing information about Dutch culture and asking questions about Ukrainian culture can help facilitate smoother communication.

There are various online tools and apps available to help Dutch individuals communicate with Ukrainian guests, such as Duolingo for learning Ukrainian and Linguee for translations of sentences and words.

 

Contactformulier EN 2.00

"*" indicates required fields

We are here to help you

Do you have any questions or are you looking for information? Please contact us.